𝐅 𝐈 𝐅 𝐓 𝐄 𝐄 𝐍
man period or something

"You need a... letter translated?" Meredith repreated, JJ standing in the walkway, eyes trying not to greedily scan over the marble floors and sky-scraper ceilings. "But you won't tell me why?"

"Exactly," the blonde nodded with a clenched jaw. "That's exactly what I need."

"Yeah, no," She shook her head, watching as his annoyed expression fell. She had been wasting time antagonizing him every chance she got, and it took at least five minutes for her to officially let him inside the house. "I'm just kidding, but your face was priceless."

She laughed, turning around and walking down the hall. "Come on." As they walked to her father's office, she began speaking. "So, why can't you tell me?"

"It's for your own good," JJ shrugged, not that he could see her. "Also, it's technically not your business."

"I'm helping, aren't I?" When she got to the doorway of her father's office, she turned around, not realizing how close the pogue was. They unintentionally looked each other up and down, Meredith's hands on either side of the doorway.

The ebony-eyed girl smirked at his helpless expression before clearing her throat. "I don't think I wanna help." She pursed her lips, trying to dig under his skin. Truthfully, she didn't. However, it didn't mean she couldn't find amusement out of the situation. "You won't tell me why you so desperately want to go into my father's office for a letter. Which, by the way, you still haven't mentioned why it's so important."

"Yeah, and I already told you," JJ rolled his cerulean blue eyes. "It's for your own good. And-"

"It's not my business," she sighed. "Yeah, yeah, say it again."

"I'm not saying to again," the blonde grimaced.

"Good," Meredith nodded. "It was getting annoying."

"So?" Meredith shrugged, still blocking the doorway to her father's office. When he didn't respond, she raised her brows expectantly. "Tell me."

"No." He shrugged, holding the cold eye contact that she was pointing him with. "Not until you help."

"Why can't you just tell me?" The Kook groaned, head falling back momentarily before looking back at him. "You're no fun."

"Here, how about this," he began, adjusting his feet beneath him. He tore his hat off, bringing it down and playing with it in his hands. "You help me get the translation, then I'll tell you what it's about. We don't want you backing out of this, now do we?"

At his insinuation, the girl scoffed. "I'm not backing out. You're the one being unreasonable."

"Says the one who's blocking the door." JJ retorted with a smirk, getting satisfaction off of her annoyed eye roll. "Are we gonna do this or not?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," the kook rolled her eyes, growing annoyed at the boys' urgency. "I get it. You wanna be alone in a room with me, fine."

Without another glance at the pogue, she turned on her heel, pulling the sliding doors open and stepping into the enclosed room. Immediately, she felt uneasy being in her father's privacy without him around or without his permission. Suddenly, guilt washed over her, and she wished she hadn't agreed to the deal. "Should we even be doing this? Like, have you thought about it?"

"Have you?" The blonde asked incredulously, noticing her uneasy demeanor when she stepped into the room. "Does the princess need a break away from her castle?"

Suddenly, she didn't find herself able to say anything. Instead, she simply rolled her eyes, waiting for him to speak again. The pogue smirked at her obvious vexation towards him, but he chose not to speak on it.

"We just need to find the copy of the letter," JJ told her, cautiously walking into the room.

"What's the difference between the one you have and the copy?" Meredith questioned, sitting in her dad's chair and roaming his desk space for anything that stood out or screamed, 'the letter!' in big bold letters. However, she knew that was wishful thinking.

"The copy has the translations inscripted on the back," he muttered, having remembered the information John B filled him in on. "The one we have, uh, doesn't." He shrugged.

"Alright," Meredith pursed her lips. "So we're just looking for the same exact thing you have with you."

"Yeah," JJ nodded nervously. "Pretty much." Not knowing if he should approach her at the desk, the blonde pogue moved to the other side of the room where he rummaged through neatly tucked books and shelves with miscellaneous things scattered on them.

Meanwhile, Meredith remembered watching her father lock the drawer that he hid his file in. Immediately, her eyes and hands began searching for a key or anything that could open the drawer. Upon realizing that it was nowhere to be found and Michael most likely traveled with the key in his possession, she sighed. "Hey, do you have, like, a knife or something? Or..."

The brunette's eyes laid on an envelope opener that was held in a pencil holder on the desk where other pens and writing utensils were held. Curious to know what the use of it was, the blonde rounded the desk, hovering over her from behind.

"What're you doing?" His voice softened as he leaned over her, watching as she stuck the envelope opener into the key slot and starting twisting.

"It's locked, and I don't have a key," Meredith shrugged as if it was obvious. "Unless you seem to magically carry keys around with you, this'll have to do."

She had a determined look on her face as she picked at the lock, and JJ couldn't help but study her features. He noticed the way her brows drew together in concentration or how her bottom lip was held between her teeth.

Realizing what he was doing, he quickly averted his gaze back towards the drawer, internally cursing himself for getting wrapped up in this thought. He watched as he returned the envelope opener back to its spot, grabbing the drawer handle and tugging it open.

In unison, their eyebrows pinched together at the sight of a file tucked neatly in the drawer, hidden beneath scrap papers and sticky notes.

Before she could stop herself, Meredith looked over her shoulder, silently questioning if they should look through the folder. His eyes seemed to catch her questioning glare, sending her a reassuring nod.

Without another look, Meredith laid the file on the desk. For some reason - which they both seemed to notice - Meredith paused, hands unable to open the folder. She tried convincing herself it was just a folder, and she wasn't even sure they would find anything. However, their was an unsettling feeling sinking in the pit of her stomach at the thought of her father keeping secrets that her family was unaware about. Sure, it was his job, but if he felt the need to hide it in the safety of a locked drawer, it must've meant more than just work.

"Do you want me to do it?" JJ's voice was what dragged her from her thoughts, and she found herself taking in a deep breath. She was almost shocked when she found no hint of judgment behind his words.

"No," she shook her head, readjusting in the seat JJ leaned against, still hovering behind her. "No, I'll do it."

With one final shaky breath - that JJ almost felt sorry for - Meredith opened the file, eyes immediately laying on the stacks of photos and documents lined with information. Her eyebrows pinched together, as did JJ's, as she began shuffling through the papers.

The pogue reached down, arm just inches away from her head, taking some of the papers into his own hands. "What is all this?" He muttered, fanning through pictures of The Royal Merchant ship wreck and documents of the passenger log and date it sunk.

Meredith shrugged, knowing just as much as he did. But, they knew one thing was for certain: Michael Waters was hiding a lot more than simple research.

"Is the letter in there?" He questioned, watching as she messily flipped through the papers. In some way, she felt as if she was invading her father's privacy. She knew the little girl many years ago would never think to question the trust she held towards her father.

"I don't see it..." She revealed, eliciting a sigh from the blonde pogue behind her. She could practically feel the disappointment radiating off of him. "It's not in here."

"What do you mean?" JJ suddenly realized that he had been acting a lot more like John B than he seemed to notice. His tone was laced with worry, and he no longer felt hopeful. "It's not?"

"No." She sighed, leaning back in the chair and running her hands down her face. For the first time in weeks, Meredith realized that the unsure feeling she felt was guilt. Remorse. Before she could stop herself, the words were already leaving her mouth.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, watching as he dropped the papers he was holding back into the file. He let the girl rearrange the papers neatly so it looked as if it had never been touched. He couldn't help but run his hands anxiously through his hair. He knew he shouldn't have held such hope just for it all to he worth nothing.

"It's fine," he shrugged, trying to feign nonchalance, but she noticed how stressed he seemed. "I don't care."

Meredith returned the file to its appropriate drawer, making sure to lock it shut with the envelope opener. She felt his eyes on her, but the sable-haired girl chose to ignore it.

"What do we do now?" She spoke after a moment of uncomfortable silence, letting the pogue recollect himself. "Just, let it go?"

"I'm sure you'd love that," he retorted, unable to hold back the anger in his voice. "No, whatever. I'll take you to your shit, just forget about this."

Reluctantly, Meredith followed after the blonde pogue. She managed to stay a few feet away in case he suddenly decided to lash out; it was clear that he was extremely disappointed in the failed search.

"Come on," Meredith muttered, opening the door to the Twinkie, which she also managed to complain about getting into. JJ tuned out most of her complaints, hearing something about filth, and it was too low of her to he seen in a van like this.

"What?" He turned his head towards her, watching as she shut the passenger side door and leaning against the window. He figured he would let her walk around the mainland while he waited in the car. However, she seemed to have other plans. "I'm staying."

"Uh, no, you're not," Meredith scoffed, looking at him as if he had no right to speak against her. "Come on, don't be boring."

"I'm not walking around the mainland with you to get your nails and hair done." JJ retorted, shaking his head defiantly. "Just go."

Just when he thought she began walking away, he saw her rounding the twinkie with a determined expression. "JJ." She muttered sternly, eliciting and eye roll from him.

Out of stubbornness, he turned his head in the other direction, but it was too late. Meredith was already opening the driver's door and reaching for his arm. "Get off of me, freak."

The girl chuckled humorously before pulling him from his seat, much to his chagrin. She ignored the series of complaints and curse words he strung her way. But, for some reason, he didn't pull his arm out of her grasp.

"Instead of sitting in the van and sulking like a child, you're coming with me," Meredith giggled at his annoyed glare. "Maybe you can get your nails done. You might actually enjoy it."

"No, immediately no." JJ retorted, tugging his arm away from her grasp. "I'm not getting my nails done. Are you joking?"

"Jeez," he blew out a long breath, walking away from him. To her surprise, the pogue followed her, his hands in his pockets. "Mood killer. You can watch."

"Watch you," JJ repeated. "Get your... nails done?" He spoke as if it was the most incredulous thing he had ever heard, and when she nodded, he scoffed.

"And my hair." She smiled, watching as he rolled his eyes at the girl. JJ found himself overthinking everything in the past hour. From a failed search of a copy to running around with the Kook princess. It was all too surreal.

"This is bullshit," he mumbled, but that didn't prevent the girl beside him from hearing.

"Aw, don't cry," She feigned sympathy, but her fake smile quickly fell. "You would enjoy it if you just participated, but whatever."

"I'm not getting my nails done. Are you insane?" JJ protested again. "Do I look like a girl to you?"

"Well..." she shrugged, watching as his jaw fell open and he feigned hurt.

"Ow." He muttered, turning away from the girl beside him when he realized a smile was on his lips, and one on hers too. Quickly, she cleared her throat, trying to wipe the smile that appeared on her lips.

"Alright, this way," She smiled, turning towards a nail salon and opening the door. She grabbed his wrist, and the pogue had no choice but to follow along. "Come on."

"I'm going," he mumbled underneath his breath, groaning as she pulled him along. Upon entering the salon, he noticed the overpriced furniture and the overgrown plants that littered tables. He noticed the expensive attire that the workers wore, and he immediately felt out of place. He knew nobody would pass him as rich, based on the clothes he wore and the cuts littering his face.

He didn't pay much attention when Meredith mentioned her pre-paid appointment. He also didn't pay attention when she told him he could walk back with her.

Of course, he was skeptical. Who wouldn't be? After all, he was walking right into the lion's den with filthy rich Kooks and overpriced things. He didn't belong here.

Never the less, he followed her to the back, and the manicurist even pulled up a chair for him. "What color?"

"Hm?" He hummed, turning his head at the sound of her voice.

"Pick a color," She pointed towards the sample strips, catching the Pogue's eyes. He furrowed his brows, shock that she had offered. "Go."

"What?" He shook his head, adjusting in his seat. "Isn't this your thing?"

"Doesn't mean you can't pick the color," Meredith informed, and she noticed the confused expression on his face. She realized that he didn't feel right in such an expensive area. "Besides, you can't just sit there and mope. Pick one."

"Uh," he sat up nervously, taking the strips that she had handed over to him. "Does it need to match? What's, uh, the color of your dress?"

"Dark blue," She told him, watching as his hands moved past the bright neon colors and towards the darker, more dull ones. "But, not, like, bright dark, like navy dark. Kinda."

"Kinda?" He repeated, looking over at her quizzically. "What does that mean?"

"Forget it," She waved her hand at him dismissively, turning her body in the chair so she was facing him. "Just pick one. Please."

The blonde couldn't say no as she plastered a fake pout on her lips, and she found herself laughing at his annoyed expression.

"Thank you," She nodded simply, turning back and laying her hands on the desk. Soon after, JJ laid an aegean blue strip on the table beside her hand.

"There." He watched as she looked at the color, giving him a swift nod of approval. Bored, the blonde shrunk in his chair, ignoring the disapproving look the manicurist gave him for his lack of manners. But, he simply grinned, spreading his legs farther out in front of him, eyes focusing on Meredith's hands.

It had taken almost two hours for Meredith to get her hair and nails done, and much to his annoyance, the blonde pogue was forced to sit through each minute of it. However, he couldn't seem to remain angry when she smiled happily at her hair, which was neatly straightened. Half of it was up in a shiny, jeweled hair clip, while the other half of her hair laid flat against her back.

The boy had to admit, she did look quite pretty. "So? Do you like it?" She questioned the pogue, holding her nails out for him to study for what felt like the tenth time that day.

"Yes," he muttered plainly, eyes staring ahead as they walked down the streets of the mainland. Knowing that her father's hotel was only minutes away, they chose to walk the block, leaving the van in a reserved parking spot - that someone would quickly complain about.

"Uhm," Meredith scoffed. "That didn't sound enthusiastic at all." She grimaced, walking beside him on the busy sidewalk.

"You've asked me at least ten times," JJ complained back. "'Do you like them? Are they too round?' Yes, and no. The nails are perfect shape, the color is fine, and your hair isn't frizzy. Now, can we please move on?"

She stared at him in bewilderment, the boy taking a deep breath after his rant. "Jeez, thanks for the compliment, I guess."

After a moment of silence, the two continued walking the block towards her dad's hotel. She turned to him, uncomfortable with the awkward silence. "So, what's so important about this letter? I helped you look, and now you owe me an explanation."

"Let's just wait until we actually translate it, alright?" He sound less than pleased, and Meredith wondered if it was her presence or the fact that he couldn't seem to hold eye contact without the urge to smile.

"Are you on your man period or something?" She retorted, his annoyance spreading to her. "I know I'm not boring to spend time with. So what's your problem?"

"Nothing," he spoke through gritted teeth, eyes fixated on the space ahead of him instead of near her.

"So why can't you look at me?" He found her question direct. He almost didn't expect it. Nonetheless, he shook his head. Meredith Waters could not know that JJ Maybank secretly thought about her, too.

"Do you just enjoy my company so much that you almost find it frustrating?" When he didn't respond, she got the answer she needed. His silence spoke volumes. She let out a humorous laugh, watching as he attempted to keep his lips in a straight line.

Her eyes studied his features for the first time in a while, and finally, she wondered where the cuts and bruises came from. Perhaps it was Rafe. She made sure to keep it as a mental note, reminding herself to question it later.

For now, she continued to tease him.

She pointed her finger at him teasingly, and it only made it harder for him to keep a straight face. "Ha! You do like being around me! You like my company!"

Meredith let out a giggle, and JJ knew his lips were already turning up, whether he tried stopping it or not. She broke out into a fit of laughter as his reaction, and it only made her laugh harder when he, too, let a laugh surface.

At that moment, around hundreds of people, on the busiest street on the mainland, the two teens' laughs filled the air, and they couldn't help but think what things could be like it they tried.

Because JJ Maybank and Meredith Waters liked each other, they just didn't know yet.

authors note!
awe, they're cute. jj and meredith finally realize that they don't hate each other after all.